Moray Parents’ Partnership (MPP) Annual Report 2007/08

The 2007/08 year kicked off in September with the newly formed Moray Parent Partnership
(MPP) with the launch meeting on 12th Sept ’07, this saw the following amendments to the
constitution being made:-

• The number of members was increased to up to 12 parent members.

• Meetings would be held approximately every 6 weeks and if attendance fell below 3
then meeting could not go ahead.

• It was decided that the Partnership would co-opt up to 3 members from the wider
community and teaching body.

In addition, the posts of Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer would be held by Andrew Steedman,
Ian McGregor and Lorraine Clark for a period of 1 year.

MPP now consists of the following parents:-

Sheila Punton, Diane Campbell, Martin Craigen, Elizabeth Leebody, Lynn Paterson, Lorna
Tilley, Andrew Steedman, Lorraine Clark, Elaine Millar, Ian McGregor, Robert Niven.

Now that the parent representation had been established it was at the meeting in October that
suggestions were put forward for co-opted members (the constitution allowing up to 3 co-opted
members). Suggestions from the Partnership were: Lynn Prentice from the sports complex
suggested by Lynn Paterson, Franca Cianna – Community Warden suggested by Martin
Craigen and a previous co-optee, Bill Strathearn, proposed by Ian McGregor. It was also
decided to invite Councillors on a rotational basis.

The meeting in November was a busy one with Lewis Connochie standing in for Mrs Wright.
The MPP had guest visitors from :-

Sharon Simpkins talking about “Resilience and Wellbeing” . Mrs Simpkins informed the
Partnership about her project to aid children to cope with new situations etc e.g. in the
playground. One of the aims of the project is to promote respect among children,
teachers and parents. She advised that a buddy system was available for any child who
wanted it and that she was looking for volunteers, particularly at lunch times to address
some of the issues that could arise. Mindful that it is not an endless budget she
suggested that a list of parents already with disclosure checks would be useful.
Elizabeth Leebody and Lynn Paterson volunteered to help.

Community Wardens, Stephen Bennett and Paul Hamilton (what a double act !)
graphically spoke to the MPP of their multi-agency approach when dealing with
monitoring and reporting on fly tipping, graffiti and asbos, under age drinking etc. Their
role is to provide a visible presence in the area, either walking the beat or in vehicles and

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11 September 2008
 to work closely with police and other agencies. Mr Connochie thanked the Wardens and
agreed to arrange to invite them to an Assembly to talk to the children directly. Thanks to
Stephen & Paul for an eye opening talk.

At the end of the meeting there was just enough time to squeeze in the first of many discussions
on the proposal for the Asymmetric Week.

January 2008 kicked off with more in depth discussions on the Asymmetric week following the
response submitted to the Council prior to Christmas. In addition to this hot topic, the MPP
realised that its budget had been cut due to the school role now falling below 500 pupils. The
amount of money allocated for administration expenses, payment of clerk and training expenses
etc was to be reduced to £500 for the year to 31st July 2008, instead of £700+. A cheque for
£200 had to be returned reluctantly to Education Services. As a result of this reduced funding,
the payment to the Clerk was also re-assessed and amended.

At this meeting the MPP welcomed Lynn Prentice from the Sports Complex and looks forward to
working with her as a co-opted member.

In April the Head Teacher’s Report was presented and the Partnership agreed the ‘Review of
Schools Aims’ as presented by Mrs Wright in the ‘New School Aims and Enterprise Draft Policy’
– copies of which were circulated prior to the meeting.

‘Enterprise in Education Policy Draft Feb 08’, staff and pupils negotiating school rules

Other topics raised were:-

• New Catholic Primary School to be built in Larbert

• Potential rezoning of some High Schools as they are bursting at seams – eg Larbert

• Problematic parking in front of the school - local residents’ houses

• Amalgamation of nurseries – Mrs Wright advised that discussions were still ongoing

The last meeting of the year took place in June 2008 where Mrs Wright advised that she’d
written to the Police regarding the parking of vehicles directly outside the school. She was
informed that the lines on the road are so badly worn in places therefore Police cannot press
charges against people parking on them. Lines were to be repainted during summer. Still on
the subject of parking, Martin Craigen came up with a good idea of getting the school children
involved making them aware of the dangers posed by inconsiderate drivers and getting them to
possibly make posters to raise the awareness/concern – topic to be continued in to next term !

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11 September 2008
Throughout the year, various meetings/seminars were hosted by Falkirk Council. The MPP
represented the following:-

2nd Feb 2008 Child Protection training at Haypark.

Attendee(s): E Leebody & L Paterson.

12th March 2008 Education Services – Budget Meeting at St Andrews Primary School.
Attendee(s): Lorna Tilley

15th March 2008 “My Future’s in Falkirk Update and National Body Seminar, Falkirk
Stadium.
Attendee(s): A Steedman

24th May 2008 Parents’ Conference – Giving Children Skills for Life at Victoria
Primary School, guest speaker – Sir Tom Farmer.
Attendee(s): A Steedman & L Paterson attended

10th September 2008 Parents’ Meeting Annual Report - St Andrew’s Primary School.
Attendee(s): A Steedman

And finally, back to the issue of the Asymmetric Week – a hot topic in my opinion and certainly
the subject I have been most vocal about during my 7 years on the Moray Schoolboard and
MPP.

On 26th August ’08 the Education and Leisure Committee agreed to the status quo in relation to
the implementation of the Asymmetric Week – this decision is still to be approved by the Policy
and Resources Committee. It means that no change will be made to the shape of the school
week for Falkirk Council schools. Personally, I am extremely pleased with the decision. This
demonstrates to me that the Parents’ Forum and the Parents’ Council can influence local
Council proposals and decisions. On this successful conclusion, I’d like, as they say, “leave on
a high” and step down as MPP Chairperson.

I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to the running of the MPP over the last year, in
particular Norma (Cruella De Ville) Moffat for taking the minutes and keeping us all right from
time to time. In addition, thanks to Dianne Cherry and her team for keeping me right over the
last 7 years and certainly the last couple of years as MPP Chairperson.

Andrew Steedman
MPP Chairperson
11th September 2008

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11 September 2008